Here’s what we’re talking about as we head into the weekend:
One of the greatest girl groups of all time got some special advice from one of the greatest singers of all time. Michelle Williams appeared on Huff Post Live and recalled her favorite celebrity encounter with Whitney Houston. Destiny’s Child ran into Houston and her husband Bobby Brown in a hotel in Los Angeles. Williams recalled that Houston approached them and started singing the group’s hit track, “Say My Name.” “She encouraged us,” Williams said. “She said ‘Y’all stay together. Y’all stick together, y’all love each other.'” [Huffington Post]
The US Army has finally removed the word “Negro” from its regulations about how to describe Black and African troops. “The Army fully recognized, and promptly acted, to remove outdated language in Army Regulation 600-20 as soon as it was brought to our attention,” said Army spokeswoman, Lt. Col. Alayne Conway. “The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect.” The Army made this revision less than 24 hours after the language was brought to light. The word appeared in a section describing “race and ethnic code definitions.” [USA Today]
One of the world’s greatest tennis players is becoming one of the most sought-after interior designers. For over 10 years, Venus Williams has been running her own interior design firm in Florida and boasts a client list of numerous celebrities and professional athletes. But the Olympic champion isn’t giving up on her sport entirely. Williams will soon unveil a Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington DC, a space that she helped design herself. “As a designer, you design and it’s beautiful and people feel great when they walk in–but how have you changed the world?” Williams said of after-school arts and academic program. “This sort of project means so much because it’s going to impact so many lives.” [Washington Post]
Jay Z can now add champagne to the list of brands that he owns. The rapper just purchased the Armand de Brignac “Ace of Spades” brand of bubbly, which retails for $300 to $200,000 for its 30-liter bottles made of gold. Jay Z apparently made Sovereign Brands, the New York-based company that once owned Armand de Bignac, “an offer they simply couldn’t refuse.” According to Forbes, Sean “Jay Z” Carter is worth over $500 million with best-selling music artist, label owner, entertainment mogul, sports agent, and now, champagne owner under his belt. [Billboard]
“The woman I thought was supposed to be there for me and cherish me, she’s no where to be found.” Watch Apollo Nida leave for jail in this sneak peek from The Real Housewives of Atlanta below.